Poll Question:
The St. Louis Blues are glad to have 34 year old forward Paul Kariya back in the lineup. He's pulled off 4 huge points in the season-opening series vs. the Detroit Red Wings. No doubt the guy still has skill, but the real question is how many games will he suit-up for in this regular NHL season?

Choices: 2-19 games 20-29 games 30-39 games 40-49 games 50-59 games 60-69 games70+

Just look at his history and you will see how often this guy misses time. He's had concussion issues, hip surgery, heck pick a body part and Paul Kariya has missed time with it injured.

He's missed an average of 16 regular season games through 14 NHL seasons and trust me, he has never been in the press box healthy. 11 games played last year, 51 with Colorado in 03/04, 22 with Anaheim in 97/98.

He's boom or bust. He played 82 games or 20. Still a huge impact player and easily a PPG player when he is healthy.

yeah but the injuries wern't his fault you make it seem like he has no heart half his injuries were either because of dirty players or freak injuries

I don't think anyone is accusing of Kariya having no heart. Hockey players get injured. Some get injured more than others. It has nothing to do with heart. And I don't recall any 'dirty plays' taking out Kariya. However, I could be wrong. There have been so many it's hard to remember!

yeah but the injuries wern't his fault you make it seem like he has no heart half his injuries were either because of dirty players or freak injuries

I don't think anyone is accusing of Kariya having no heart. Hockey players get injured. Some get injured more than others. It has nothing to do with heart. And I don't recall any 'dirty plays' taking out Kariya. However, I could be wrong. There have been so many it's hard to remember!

I'd love to see Kariya play a full season, he's done it 6 or 7 times in his career, but I'm thinking 40-49. Too many old injuries to nurse, small guy, turns 35 this year, so healing/recovery isn't what it used to be. At $6 million a year that's a heafty price.

yeah but the injuries wern't his fault you make it seem like he has no heart half his injuries were either because of dirty players or freak injuries

I don't think anyone is accusing of Kariya having no heart. Hockey players get injured. Some get injured more than others. It has nothing to do with heart. And I don't recall any 'dirty plays' taking out Kariya. However, I could be wrong. There have been so many it's hard to remember!

I'd love to see Kariya play a full season, he's done it 6 or 7 times in his career, but I'm thinking 40-49. Too many old injuries to nurse, small guy, turns 35 this year, so healing/recovery isn't what it used to be. At $6 million a year that's a heafty price.

Yeah I was just gonna say that. Right after a goal and right before the 98 Olympics. Kariya is canadian and Suter is American. That was a huge blow to Anaheim and team Canada.

As for the topic I really hope Kariya plays a full season. But it's true he had his share of injuries in his career. And NOBODY said he has no heart.

I think if he would have stayed healthy the last couple seasons leading up to now he would be a great pick for Team Canada in 2010, with his veteran presence, experience and overall skill. Who could forget the goal by Kariya against Team USA when Pronger fed him a pass through Lemieux's legs!

I think if he would have stayed healthy the last couple seasons leading up to now he would be a great pick for Team Canada in 2010, with his veteran presence, experience and overall skill. Who could forget the goal by Kariya against Team USA when Pronger fed him a pass through Lemieux's legs!

What do you guys think?

I have to agree, and in fact, i'd say he's one guy who's prob not been ruled out just yet. If he has a good first half, he could be a guy that gets a look when the team gets back together. Bit of a longshot maybe, but of the guys out there who weren't invited, he's at the top of the list for a last second tryout!